Arthritis is a difficult and debilitating condition. This joint disease comes in many forms and each of them puts significant limitations on your lifestyle. There are numerous medical treatments with varying level of effectiveness, but making some changes in your dietary habits can also help.
A common piece of advice for vegetarians with arthritis is to start increasing their omega-3 fatty acid intake. Unfortunately, simple tweaks in your diet can only take you so far when you are battling arthritis. If you don't want to take medication that can have an adverse effect on your other organs, the best treatment would be to take natural vegetarian arthritis supplements.
Here you will learn more about some of the best vegetarian arthritis supplements that can truly help your ailment.
1. SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine)
Similar to some other arthritis supplements, SAM-e is an effective pain reliever that can also reduce joint inflammation characteristic to arthritis. Besides the analgesic properties, this supplement also promotes cartilage growth to relieve other arthritis symptoms.
On top of that, SAM-e affects serotonin, a neurotransmitter in your brain, to reduce the amount of pain you feel. SAM-e is a non-steroidal supplement, which means that there are fewer negative effects and that you are getting a better treatment in the long run.
You should note that SAM-e is a compound your body makes naturally. It has a vital role for a normal bodily function, which is why synthesized SAM-e has been used as a medication for many years. The supplement is best for treating osteoarthritis, but it can also help with fibromyalgia.
2. Boswellia Serrata
Boswellia serrata, better known as Indian frankincense, is among the best vegetarian arthritis supplements because it is a natural painkiller. The frankincense comes from the sap of the boswellia tree and has been used in traditional Indian medicine for centuries.
Indian frankincense contains boswellic acid as the main active ingredient that provides pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties. However, boswellia serrata is not only an effective analgesic. This supplement can also repair arthritis-induced cartilage loss and limit the autoimmune responses associated with the condition.
The supplement can come in the form of an extract that is called Loxin 5. This extract is known to relieve arthritis pain after just a week and slow down joint damage after just a few months. Much like SAM-e, Indian frankincense is also most effective in treating osteoarthritis.
3. Capsaicin
Capsicum frutescens, or a common red chili pepper, is a little different compared to other vegetarian arthritis supplements because it usually comes in the form of gel or patch. You might be able to find it as the main active ingredient in some supplement pills, but it's more commonly found in ointments. This, of course, doesn't make this arthritis pain reliever any less effective.
Red chili peppers contain capsaicin, which is the main active ingredient in this arthritis supplement. It is completely natural because it comes from chili peppers and the supplements and ointments rarely contain any non-vegetarian ingredients.
This arthritis pain reliever works by reducing the amount of the so-called "substance P." This substance is a neuropeptide that is responsible for transmitting pain signals in your brain. Consequently, smaller amounts of "substance P" translate into less arthritis pain you feel.
As many other arthritis supplements, capsaicin is best for osteoarthritis, but it can also be used to treat fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.
4. Turmeric
Curcuma longa, better known as turmeric, is another plant that can be found in vegetarian arthritis supplements. Turmeric contains curcumin, which is the chemical that delivers medicinal properties that are ideal for the treatment of arthritis. Besides reducing pain, curcumin also reduces joint swelling caused by arthritis.
This active ingredient actually blocks enzymes and cytokines that cause inflammation. It is especially effective for patients who suffer from knee osteoarthritis. Curcumin can be found in many supplements that target joint pain.
If you are looking for a curcumin-based product, you won't go wrong with BCM-95. Besides osteoarthritis, this supplement is also effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis and can provide better results than diclofenac sodium.
5. Avocado-Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU)
Avocado-soybean unsaponifiables are completely natural extracts that are obtained from soybean and avocado oils. The extracts usually contain two-thirds of soybean unsaponifiables and one-third of avocado unsaponifiables. There are several different ways this vegetarian arthritis supplement helps your joints.
It blocks the chemicals that cause inflammation to reduce the spread and progress of arthritis. ASU also affects the cells that line joints and prevents their deterioration. On top of that, this arthritis supplement can aid the regeneration of connective tissue.
ASU is great for helping reduce the development of osteoarthritis in the hips and knees. What's more, the patients stop using other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs when they start with ASU.
6. Cat's Claw
If you are looking for a vegetarian arthritis supplement that can help you with rheumatoid arthritis, cat's claw might be a perfect solution. This natural joint supplement has amazing anti-inflammatory properties. Similar to other rheumatoid arthritis drugs, it targets the tumor necrosis factor and is completely natural.
Cat's claw also contains chemical compounds that have beneficial effects on your immune system. What's more, it can significantly reduce swelling and pain in your joints.
It is important to avoid cat's claw-based supplements that have tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids. When you purchase the supplement, take a close look at the label to ensure that it is free from this substance.
7. Fish Oil
Fish oil might be among the most common and well-known vegetarian arthritis supplements. It comes in the form of oil and pills, and is also a part of other joint supplements. Fish oil is also commonly used by non-vegetarians because of its beneficial properties.
The main ingredient in fish oil is omega-3 fatty acid, which blocks prostaglandins and cytokines that cause inflammation. This supplement can be used for a few joint conditions. It is quite effective in decreasing joint stiffness and tenderness with rheumatoid arthritis and can also help with Sjogren's syndrome.
Endnote
A lot of people suffer from some form of arthritis, which significantly reduces their ability to live normally. Mainstream medication can help but can also cause some negative side effects. It is thus advisable to find vegetarian arthritis supplements that can help you deal with the condition.
The supplements featured in this article are only some of the natural options you have to treat arthritis. Not only are they very effective but they are also completely vegetarian-friendly.
Kwolf says
Umm, fish oil is most definitely NOT vegetarian.